Everytime the West comes to Toronto lately, bad things have been in store for the visitors. Toronto's upset of the defending champion Lakers on Sunday was the latest and possibly greatest chapter in the upsets over West teams at home. Toronto is a team that is dominating at home thus far, their 15-6 record at the ACC is 5th in the East and the best in the Atlantic Division. The only East teams that are better on home court Clevleand, Atlanta, Orlando, and Charlotte.
For me, the question remains why the Raptors can't translate home success into road victores. Toronto is a dismal 8-16 on the road this season, worse than every team in the Atlantic except for the Nets. Back-to-back losses in Cleveland and Milwaukee highlighted these road struggles last week as the Raptors simply looked like a different team.
Is it the travel that affects the club? Is it the home court advantage? Regardless of what it is, the road woes will keep the Raptors from contending in the playoffs. If Toronto does hold course and qualify, they will in all likelihood not have home court advantage in any series, something that could seriously affect the club during crunch time. I have already stated how important success this season as well as in the playoffs if for this franchise's future and solving their road problems is a necessity.
On the other side, Chris Bosh is a reserve....yes a reserve for the 2010 NBA All-Star game. I'm happy to see Bosh in it and that the Raptors are represented again, but no way Bosh should be a reserve. He's a serious MVP candidate (something Toronto has never had) and is a lot of the reason the Raptors won their last two games, as well as many other contests this season. You know the saying: as Bosh goes, so go the Raptors.
Also, today and this week overall I will be expermenting incorporating pictures, logos, and other nice things into my blog, to make it more colorful and exciting. Don't feel weird if pictures are dancing in weird spots or anything, it's just me tinkering with the format.
Thumbs Up This Week
1. Jarrett Jack- Jarrett must have heeded my warning from last week, after seeing his playin time drop on the road, he had big days with 27 and 18 points against the Bucks and Lakers at home.
2. Chris Bosh- Double, double, toil and trouble. Whenever Bosh is doing double digits, Toronto is bound to win. Unless the rest of the team doesn't score as evidenced last Wednesday...
3. Marco Bellinelli- Coming back from being sick, Bellinelli shot well in the three games where he saw action and should be putting first round pick DeRozan on his toes once again.
Thumbs Down This Week
1. Road Games- Ouch, tow more road losses equal a .333 winning percentage as the visiting team for Toronto. This must change if this team wants to make noise.
2. Western Conference in Toronto- First the Spurs, then the MAvs, now the Lakers. I thought the Western Conference was supposed to be good, but apparently all of its talent gets held up at the border. No complaints from me.
3. Hedo Turkoglu- Yeah, yeah they SAY you won the game against the Lakers and, technically speaking, you did. However, those last minute free throws wouldn't have mattered if you shoot better than one for six from the field.
On the Medical Bench
Reggie Evans- Well, he is back to practice as of yesterday, but STILL no timetable on his return.
My Raptors Picks This Week
Unfortunatly, no West teams in Toronto the next couple of weeks, but the Raptors have two "should win" games this week. First, though, they host the Heat tomorrow in a pivotal game for 5th in the East. No confidence in me against a Miami team that has had the Raptors' number, loss. Then, a trip by my neck of the woods, New York to take on the Knicks. I smell upset, Knicks over Raptors. Toronto will snap a two game skid on Sunday at home against the sad Indiana Pacers.
Last Week 3-1
Season 17-10
Wed. vs Miami LOSS
Thurs. at New York LOSS
Sun. vs Indiana WIN
Around the NBA
Atlantic- Here we go, Allen Iverson is starting the all-star game and THIS is why fans shouldn't vote for the players. Iverson in no way deserves to be there and took a starting spot away from Boston's Rajon Rondo. Yeah, the argument is made that fans want to see the players, but if anyone remember the NHL chaos from 2007 where journeyman Rory Fitzpatrick nearly started at defense, it's all just to make a mockery of the game. Step aside, IVerson. You know you don't belong.
Central- The trade deadline is approaching and rumors are swirling all around the news today. One has the Pacers shopping former Raptor point guard T.J. Ford. A solid swing man that got run out of Toronto by Jose Calderon, Ford has been out since the New Year with an injury.
Southeast- Wizards gun drama update. Javaris Crittenton, yeah the other guy involved with Gibert Arenas, was charged yesterday unlawful possesion of a firearm. He is now working on a plea agreement. Good news is that the case is wrapping up, and hopefully all this gun stupidity goes away.
Southwest- The Hornets, in danger of falling in luxury tax terrioty, dealt guard Bobby Brown to the Los Angeles Cippers for a draft pick in 2014. This puts the Hornets out of luxury tax range and gives the Clippers a depth piece. Kudos to New Orleans for manaing to not totally disembowl their roster.
Northwest- Hey, remember the rookie Sundiata Gaines that won the game for the Jazz over Cleveland last week? Utah signed him on for the remainder of the season after his heroics. BE careful, Jaxx faithful. He could be a one basket wonder.
Pacific- With talks of a contract extension going no where, the Phoenix Suns are looking to deal away forward Amare Stoudemire despite possibly losing him for a possible playoff run. Smart long term move for Phoenix, but how will a Stoudemire-less Suns team be affected long term? We shall see.
What to Watch This Week
Wednesday- Miami at Toronto 7:00 Sun Sports
Thursday- Boston at Orlando 8:00 TNT
Friday- Boston at Atlanta 7:30 CSN New England
Saturday- Atlanta at Orlando 7:00 NBA TV
Sunday- LA Lakers at Boston 3:30 ABC
Monday- Dallas at Utah 9:00 FS Southwest
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